Under the motto “Rethinking rehabilitation mining – Innovative approaches on the road to sustainability”, the international mining symposium WISSYM 2023 came to a successful close. From 25th to 28th September 2023 in Dresden/Germany, 200 participants from 15 countries discussed issues of innovation, technology development and resource efficiency, as well as the highly topical subject of public perception and acceptance of mining within society.
The starting signal to “enter” the mining symposium by means of a shaft bell was given by Michael Paul, Managing Director Wismut GmbH, Chemnitz, in the presence of Olaf Alisch, Association of Mining, Geology and Environment (VBGU), Berlin, the Mayor of the City of Dresden, Eva Jähnigen, and Prof. Bernhard Cramer, Saxon Mining Authority, Freiberg (Figure 1). Video greetings reached the participants from Michael Kellner, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK), and from Bodo Ramelow, Prime Minister of Thuringia.
Once again, the symposium was introduced with an excursion day. The excursions took the participants to the Wismut sites in Crossen, Aue and Königstein/Dresden-Gittersee. In another excursion, the mining experts were able to see for themselves the successful redevelopment of a former lignite site into a recreational area in the Czech town of Most. The excursions formed the basis for the exchange of experience on the three subsequent days of the conference.
Wismut was able to attract numerous renowned experts to the event. In 35 presentations during the three-day lecture program, national and international experts from politics, industry, science and administration exchanged experiences and innovations in mining rehabilitation.
Another highlight of the symposium was the panel discussion in which the Prime Minister of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, discussed the topic “Mining for the global “green” transformation – but not on my doorstep!” with five international experts from the mining sector.
The 5th International Mining Symposium WISSYM 2023 again provided a platform for national and international mining rehabilitators, mining operators, scientists, representatives of authorities and administration as well as engineering companies to exchange and discuss experiences in mining rehabilitation. (Wismut/Si.)
